Michigan drivers must give bicyclists at least three feet of space under new law

Posted Jun 29, 2018

Three of the four survivors (from left) Paul Gobble, Jennifer Johnson and Paul Runnels lead a 25 mile ride after the memorial unveiling for the Kalamazoo bike tragedy at Markin Glen Park on Thursday, June 7, 2018, in Cooper Twp., Michigan. The memorial honors the five killed and four injured while riding their bicycles single file along North Westnedge Avenue on June 7, 2016. Joel Bissell | MLive.com(Joel Bissell)

Michigan drivers will be required to give bicyclists at least three feet of space when passing them on the road under legislation signed by Gov. Rick Snyder Friday.

The House bills, sponsored by Reps. Holly Hughes, R-Montague, Julie Alexander, R-Hanover, and John Bizon, R-Battle Creek, require cars passing bicyclists to give them at least three feet of room when practicable. Hughes' bill, HB 4265, states that if it is "impracticable" to pass the bicycle with three feet of space, cars should pass "at a safe distance to the right of that bicycle at a safe speed."

The issue came onto the legislative radar after a 2016 bike crash in Kalamazoo killed five.

"Many Michiganders enjoy activities like bicycling, but these activities can leave them vulnerable to vehicles sharing the road," Snyder said in a statement. "Drivers must exercise caution and maintain awareness around vulnerable roadway users."

Data from the Office of Highway Safety Planning indicates bicyclist fatalities doubled between 2012 and 2016. There were 38 deaths in 2016. The office's analysis of 2010-2014 data indicates a quarter of accidents involving bicycles and cars occur during passing.

Originally Hughes proposed a 5-foot passing rule. That distance was narrowed down to three feet in the committee process.